Enchanting Ireland

Day 1 Overnight Flight to Dublin
A Riley motorcoach will transfer us to MSP Airport where we will board an overnight flight to Dublin, Ireland. Soak in the landscapes of rolling hills and feel the warmth of an Irish welcome!
Day 2 Dublin, Ireland
We'll arrive in Dublin this morning and meet our local guide and motorcoach and do a city tour of Dublin, Ireland's capital city on the banks of the River Liffey. You'll see the Georgian Squares with their 18th century houses, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College, the Phoenix Park (the biggest town park in Europe), statue filled O'Connell Street and the fashionable Grafton Street. You will also visit EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum which tells the story of the many Irish who emigrated over the centuries and how they helped to change the world. We check-in to our hotel for the next two nights and enjoy an included welcome dinner there. (D)
Day 3 Dublin, Ireland
This morning we travel to Trinity College to visit the Long Room which houses 200,000 of Trinity Colleges oldest books and considered to be one of the world's most beautiful libraries. You will view a 9th century Latin manuscript of the four Gospels written on vellum (prepared calfskin), known as the Book of Kells, one of Ireland's greatest cultural treasures and the world's most famous medieval manuscripts. We will also visit Saint Patrick's Cathedral, an architectural and historical site which has been at the heart of Dublins history for over 800 years. No visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to the Guinness Brewery founded in 1759. Enjoy a self-guided tour which concludes with a leisurely pint of Guinness in the 360-degree roof top bar while enjoying a spectacular view of Dublin. The remainder of the day is free to soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant city. You may choose to explore it's many lively streets and enjoy dinner in one of the cities charming pubs and restaurants. (B)

Day 4 Waterford, Ireland
This morning depart Dublin and travel south to County Wicklow known as The Garden of Ireland. The first visit this morning will be Powerscourt House & Gardens. This Palladian Mansion built in 1730 was badly damaged by fire in 1974. It was reroofed in 1996 and opened to the public. The gardens at Powerscourt were first laid when the house was built in 1730 and a century later the 6th Viscount Powerscourt instructed his architect, Daniel Robertson, to draw up new schemes for the gardens. From here, continue to Glendalough (Valley of Two Lakes) where you travel back in time while enjoying a guided tour of this early 7th century monastic settlement. Next we drive through the beautiful Vale of Avcaco to Waterford for an overnight stay. This evening dinner is included tonight. (B, D)

Day 5 Killarney, Ireland
Our day begins with a visit to the House of Waterford Crystal and see highly skilled craftsmen demonstrate crystal blowing and cutting in a new state of the art visitor center. Departing Waterford, we travel along the southern coastline to Blarney to visit the Blarney Castle and Gardens. The castle was built in 1446. You will have the opportunity to climb the spiral stairs to the top of the castle and kiss the famous Blarney Stone. It is said to bestow the gift of eloquence on those who dare. From here we will continue to Killarney for a two night stay. Dinner is included this evening. (B, D)

Day 6 Killarney, Ireland
Today we'll embark on one of Ireland's most famous tours, the Ring of Kerry! First stop will be at the Kerry Bog Village to visit little thatched cottages and see how people would have lived in Ireland many years ago. Your tour continues through the wild and rugged landscape of the Iveragh Peninsula which has some breathtaking views of the Atlantic coastline. You'll pass through the towns of Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahirciveen and Waterville to Sneem. Our tour then winds it's way through the mountains taking in some fine views of the Lakes of Killarney and the Ladies View before returning to Killarney. (B)

Day 7 Galway, Ireland
Bid farewell to Killarney and travel to Tralee, famous for The Rose of Tralee Festival. We continue to Tarbert to board the Shannon Ferry, which crosses the Shannon Estuary to Killmer. From here take the coast road to the majestic Cliffs of Moher that rise 600 feet over the Atlantic Ocean. Following some free time to views the cliffs, our tour winds it's way through the lunar type landscape of the Burren, which takes it's name from the Irish word "bhoireann" meaning "a stony place." The rough, intriguing and attractive landscape was formed 320 million years ago under a tropical sea. We make our way to the shores of Galway Bay to Galway City for our home for the next two nights. Dinner is included. (B, D)

Day 8 Galway, Ireland
There will be free time this morning in Galway City. Wander through the charming old cobblestone streets and appreciate the blend of past and present, with modern day shops housed in century-old buildings. For lunch we'll travel to Rathbaun Farm. Here we'll do a guided tour and have an included ploughman's lunch. Get a glimpse into the daily workings of a sheep-farm, see the animals, feed the lambs, talk to the family and explore the farmyard. Farm owner Fintan Connelly will also give a demonstration of sheep sheering and herding. We travel east through the Irish midlands to Dublin. Tonight, we'll enjoy an included Farewell Dinner at our hotel. (B, D)

Day 9 Home
We travel to Dublin Airport for our flight home with fond memories and newly acquired accents and many stories to relate to our friends and family.

5 dinners 
0 lunches and 
7 continental breakfasts

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